Circular RNAs (circRNA) represent a distinct class of covalently closed-loop RNA molecules, which play diverse roles in regulating biological processes and disease states. The enhanced stability of synthetic circRNAs compared to their linear counterparts has recently garnered considerable research interest, paving the way for new therapeutic applications. While clinical circRNA technology is still in its early stages, significant advancements in mRNA technology offer valuable insights into its potential future applications. Two primary obstacles that must be addressed are the development of efficient production methods and the optimization of delivery systems. To expedite progress in this area, this review aims to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on circRNA structure and function, outline recent techniques for synthesizing circRNAs, highlight key delivery strategies and applications, and discuss the current challenges and future prospects in the field of circRNA-based therapeutics.

环状 RNA (circRNA) 代表一类独特的共价闭环 RNA 分子，在调节生物过程和疾病状态方面发挥着多种作用。与线性环状RNA相比，合成环状RNA的稳定性增强，最近引起了广泛的研究兴趣，为新的治疗应用铺平了道路。虽然临床 circRNA 技术仍处于早期阶段，但 mRNA 技术的重大进步为其未来潜在应用提供了宝贵的见解。必须解决的两个主要障碍是高效生产方法的开发和输送系统的优化。为了加快这一领域的进展，本综述旨在概述 circRNA 结构和功能的知识现状，